Rockets, McGrady cruise past Phoenix

HOUSTON  Tracy McGrady had 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Luis Scola added 19 points as the Rockets downed the Suns 101-90, moving 1 1/2 games ahead of Phoenix and keeping pace with San Antonio in the Western Conference playoff race.

Rookie Carl Landry added 14 points and seven rebounds, and reserve guard Bobby Jackson had 13 points as the Rockets won easily, despite playing without defensive specialist Shane Battier, who sat out with a bruised left foot and ankle, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 221.

Amare Stoudemire scored 37 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 16 points for the Suns, who mustered their lowest point total since a 116-86 loss to Detroit on Feb. 24.

Vince Carter had 21 points and Devin Harris added 19 for the Nets, who last missed the playoffs in 2001.

CELTICS 102, BUCKS 86: AtBoston, Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 10 assists, then joined the rest of the Boston starters on the bench for the fourth quarter as the Celtics coasted to a victory over Milwaukee.

The Bucks made more moves off the court than on it: They hired former Pistons vice president John Hammond as general manager and made the announcement during the third quarter.

HAWKS 116, KNICKS 104: At New York, Joe Johnson kept Atlanta in control of the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, scoring 34 points in a victory over the Knicks.

Josh Smith and Mike Bibby added 24 points apiece for the Hawks, who won all four meetings with the Knicks this season, sweeping the series for the first time since moving to Atlanta for the 1968-69 season.

PACERS 85, 76ERS 76: At Philadelphia, Danny Granger had 30 points and 12 rebounds and Indiana won its fourth straight.

GRIZZILES 96, HEAT 91: AtMiami, Hakim Warrick and Kyle Lowry each scored 17 points, and Memphis beat Miami to ensure that the Heat will finish with the league's worst record.

With the NBA's worst record (14-65), the Heat will have the best chance to win the draft lottery held on May 20.

BULLS 100, CAVALIERS 95: At Chicago, LeBron James tied a Cavaliers record by scoring 24 of his 34 points in the first quarter, but Luol Deng finished with 21 to lead the Bulls.